PARIS, Apr 22 (SW) - In their first season back in Ligue 1, Nancy marked it with a trophy on Saturday, claiming the 2005/06 French League Cup with a 2-1 victory over Nice.

Midfielder Moncef Zerka gave Nancy the lead after 23 minutes, but Nice responded with a goal from Marama Vahirua four minutes into the second half.

It looked as if the match swung in favor of Nice on the hour mark when Nancy defender Sébastien Puygrenier was sent off for his second bookable offense of the match, but Brazilian striker Kim gave Nancy a shock lead just five minutes later.

Nice pushed forward with their advantage in men for the remainder of the game, but the Nancy rearguard was up to the task and they held on to claim their first major trophy since they won the 1978 French Cup.

Nancy will now enter the first round of the 2006/07 UEFA Cup.